Born in Newry Co. Down in 1940 into a farming community, the youngest of a family of five
brothers and four sisters, he did his early studies in St. Colman's college in Newry followed by
a spell at St. Kieran ' s Collegein Kilkenny.
Other educational milestones were a B.A. from University
College, Dublin and an M.Sc in Economics from the London School of Economics.
Following his ordination
in 1963, he served in St. Jame ' s, Coatbridge, St. David 's, Plains, St. Thersa's Newarthill,St. Monica 's in Coatbridge and
St. Columba ' s, Viewpark before joining the Catholic Chaplaincy of Glasgow University. This proved to be
an excellent choice for both him and the students and staff of the University. From 1977 to 1993, he served the University Community, and with his dedication and enthusiasm, made a huge impression on everyone
at Gilmorehill; his departure was sorely missed in the cloisters and elsewhere in the University.
(The respect for his contribution to the life of the University saw him honoured with an Honorary
Degree of Doctor of Divinity in the Millenium Year).
He had already been made a Prelate of Honour
in 1988.
However, other challenges beckoned and in 1993, he became the first Rector of the New National Seminary
set up at Scotus College in Bearsden, where he developed both building and ethos until 1999 when he became
Parish Priest here in St. Ignatius.
A great lover of the outdoors, playing golf and particularly
interested in hillwalking, he nevertheless makes the time to visit the schoolchildren in school,
the old people at home, the sick at home and in hospital while running the Parish and developing
the participation of lay people in the running of various aspects of the Parish. Indoors, he
relaxes with good music and reading. He has created a Pastoral Planning team here whose
responsibilities are described elsewhere on this site.
He has instigated the renewal of the appearance of the outside of the church and is planning to
address the interior shortly . He has many years ahead of him if he is to live up to the years
served by many of the former Parish Priests.